Forum home› Plants

Over wintering Coleus question

jay007.69123jay007.69123 Posts: 43
in Plants
Last year I was giving 2 Coleus plants that did not fair very well being kept as indoor house plants. After taking some cuttings and getting them to root, I have potted them and kept outdoors this summer and they have really flourished and are doing well. 
I do not have a green house that I can store them in over the winter but really do not want to lose them. I have taken a couple of cuttings to start new plants but was wondering if anyone had any ideas how I might be able to protect them during the cold months.
I was thinking of trying to cover with clear bin bags to try to keep the frost off. Do you think this will work?? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. 
I live in lincolnshire in the UK if that helps. Thanks in advance.

Jay

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 26,505
    I don't think they will survive outside no matter what you do. Have you got a porch?

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • ZeroZero1ZeroZero1 Posts: 577
    The best way is to take them indoors. Coleus will not like frost. If you try them outdoors, a sheltered spot where they get light might work and your plastic bag idea. If you cover them with plastic let the air get in and don't forget to water. Personally I would keep them indoors in somewhere light
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,106
    Take lots more cuttings (in a jar of water) and resign yourself to losing the parent plant.  They never look as good the second year anyway ... they get leggy.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • jay007.69123jay007.69123 Posts: 43
    Thanks for the advise. Think I will take plenty of cuttings and try to shelter parent plants and see what happens next year.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,940
    I think the advice given above is good.
    I've been growing coleus from seed on and off for 50+ yrs.
    They will have no chance whatsoever outside, even if you manage to keep them frost-free. They're just too full of water and will freeze or rot at the first opportunity.
    If you do keep the parent plants inside over winter, they may survive, but I have found soon as spring arrives, they look tatty, start to form flower buds, then die.
    You best bet is to follow the advice given above by Dove (ooh - that's almost an anagram!) :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Sign In or Register to comment.